Angela Merkel refused to speculate on whetherGreececould count on a third aid package from itseuro zonepartners after Athens had completed its existing bailout programme.
"I think we now have all our hands full to make this bailout succeed," Merkel saidin Brussels on Wednesday, 4 March where she visited the European Commission for the first time since Jean-Claude Juncker took over from Jose Manuel Barroso last November.
Merkel's visit comes on the heels of weeks of disagreement between Athens and its creditors over extending Greece's bailout, with Germany taking a harder approach on the issue than the European Commission.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also said it is too early to discuss a third bailout package forGreece,stressing the focus of talks with Athens was implementing measures already agreed with theeuro zone.
"We are going to focus on implementing what was agreed in the Eurogroup," Juncker told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "It is premature to talk about a third programme. That kind of speculation is best avoided."
Merkelrepeated recently thatshe is hoping for a good future for Greece in the eurozone as Germany pushes Athens to comply fully with the terms of its financial bailout.
Germany's Parliament signed off last Friday on a four-month extension to Greece's bailout, an agreement under which the new Greek government committed to honoring its financial obligations fully. It now has to submit detailed reform plans and pass a review by creditors.
Merkelsaid Monday: "On this basis, I hope for a good future for Greece as a member of the eurozone."
Comments by Greek officials casting doubt on elements of the bailout have irked key creditor Germany. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told ARD television Sunday: "We insist on what was agreed being fulfilled."
Merkel’s visit to the Commission came also shortly after Brussels agreed to give France an extra two years to bring its budget deficit into line with EU rules, sparking criticism from several centre-right German politicians. Merkel said Francewas on the right path to improve its competitiveness, adding that eacheuro zonecountry had to decide itself on which specific measures to take.
http://www.neurope.eu/article/merkel-juncker-too-early-speculate-new-bailout-greece